*Disclosure: Affiliate links are used in this post. If you choose to purchase through the links, I may be compensated at no additional cost to you. See full disclosure policy.
It’s a Book Parade!
Many great books released into the world this month, what fun! I had the honor of writing the foreward for one of them. Sacred Ground Sticky Floors: How Less-Than-Perfect Parents Can Raise (Kind of) Great Kids is the latest book by the uber-talented, Jami Amerine. It’s a fresh dose of hilarity and a lasting shot of liberty, for frazzled parents everywhere.
I hope you had a chance to read my interview last week with the lovely Ashley Hales, author of Finding Holy in the Suburbs: Living Faithfully in the Land of Too Much.
Without further ado, it is an honor to introduce you to the one-and-only Shontell Brewer. Shontell wears many different hats upon her long dreadlocks. But today she has on her author hat as she tells us about her newly released book, Missionary Mom: Embracing the Mission Field Right Under Your Roof.
Fun fact: Today is Taco Tuesday (Shontell’s favorite day of the week) and it’s also her birthday. Give Shontell a gift by leaving a comment or sharing this interview, so that many will discover her life-giving words. Thank you!
Author Interview with Shontell Brewer:
1. In what ways are moms missionaries in their homes?
Moms have the opportunity to be the first “Jesus” their kids meet. But more than just teaching them about Him, we need to model and walk them through what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. No middle man (or mama) needed. When Jesus died on the cross, that veil was torn so children had face to face access to the Father, just as we do as adults.
2. The mundane tasks of motherhood can feel less than spiritual, how do we shift our perspective to seeing the value in the everyday moments of parenting?
When I begin to believe the lie that my work in raising children is small or mundane, I do what God reminds us to do so often in Scripture: remember. I look back over stories when God allowed children to be part of His great plan of redemption.
Mordecai raised Esther as his own daughter. We don’t get a glimpse into his parenting style before she’s taken by the king’s men to be trained up as the next possible queen. We do not know exactly how old Esther is, but we know she is young. The same age as children many of us are still raising. But as we look at what Esther eventually faced, and how often she sought her uncle’s advice and obeyed his words—even after she was his queen—it’s clear Mordecai raised her to know God and taught her how to pray, fast, and stand firmly in what she believed.
Esther is one of the bravest young women of the Bible. And, in the end, God uses her to save an entire nation from destruction—a chosen people spread across 127 countries.
None of the work we do is small. It's just that we can't see where it may lead, but it is never small. @shontellbrewer #MissionaryMom Share on X
3. If you could instill one thing into youth today, what would that be?
That there is no certain age a child needs to be to start living for God. Four year olds can bring light to their play dates. Ten year olds can bring light to their classrooms. Middle schoolers can pray for their friend while his or her parents go through divorce. They can make a difference right now.
4. Can you tell us a funny story about how one of your missionary mom escapades?
Oh, how do I choose!? One of my most nervous mom moments was when my oldest son, Elijah, was about four. I was up at the front of the church, and I saw him standing at the door greeting people with a hand shake. That seemed innocent enough. It looked like he was being a kind little greeter dude. Later I found out from my boss’s boss that my son was introducing himself as, “Hello. My name is Elijah. I am a pastor here.” So that was embarrassing.
5. Could you offer a prayer to the mamas who need some extra encouragement today?
Heavenly Father, Your ways are truly the best ways. Help us never to forget that, even when we are smack dab in the middle of raising children. Teach us to open our hands and say in confidence that we trust You to hold our children tightly, so we do not cling to them in an unhealthy way. Show us what it means to be in-step with You as we walk alongside them. Surround them with people who point them back to You. Thank You, Lord, for the honor of being a mom. Amen.
Teach us to open our hands and say in confidence that we trust You to hold our children tightly, so we do not cling to them in an unhealthy way. @shontellbrewer #MissionaryMom Share on X
Shontell Brewer is a wife, mother, kindergarten teacher, and associate pastor with Foursquare International in Reno, Nevada. She holds a master of science degree in teaching English as a second language and a master of arts in Christian studies with an emphasis in urban ministry. She is the author of Missionary Mom and her blog, Nonsense at Its Finest, can be found at shontellbrewer.com.
You might also like:
5 Myths about Human Trafficking and Protecting Your Kids by Shontell Brewer